Obadiah Part 01

We are now moving to a part of our Sword (Word of the Lord) that receives less attention than other parts of the Bible. We move into some of the Minor Prophets, starting with Obadiah. Today, we will look at the author, when, where, and why the book was written, and the main theme of the book.  

Author 

The book of Obadiah presents a unique challenge because we know virtually nothing about the prophet himself. Although twelve individuals named Obadiah appear elsewhere in Scripture, there is no clear indication that any of them is the author of this book. Even the name “Obadiah,” meaning “Servant of the LORD,” may function more as a title than a personal name, emphasizing his role rather than his identity.  

When

The timing of the book is also uncertain. Scholars have suggested dates ranging from as early as the reign of King Jehoram around 850 BC—when “Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah” (2 Kings 8:20)—to as late as shortly after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. If the earlier date is correct, Obadiah may be the earliest of the writing prophets, a view favored by many, though it would make his message unusual in that it is directed primarily to a foreign nation rather than to Israel. Others believe Obadiah was contemporary with Jeremiah because of strong similarities between Obadiah and Jeremiah 49, such as “If thieves came to you, if robbers by night…would they not steal only till they had enough?” (Jeremiah 49:9; Obadiah 5), which may indicate collaboration, borrowing, or simply that both prophets were inspired by the same divine source. 

Where

There is also no clear indication of where Obadiah lived, though the absence of references to temple worship and the use of “Jacob” rather than “Judah” may suggest a setting in the northern kingdom of Israel.  

Why

The central purpose of the book is clear: it is a prophecy announcing the judgment and downfall of Edom, not a historical account written after the fact. It also introduces broader themes such as the Day of the LORD and the future restoration of Israel. Because few Old Testament books focus primarily on foreign nations, understanding Edom is essential. The name “Edom,” meaning “red,” comes from Esau, Jacob’s twin brother, who said, “Please feed me with that same red stew” (Genesis 25:30), leading to his nickname. Esau’s decision to sell his birthright, combined with Jacob’s later deception in receiving Isaac’s blessing, created deep tension between the brothers, even though they later reconciled (Genesis 32–33). This personal conflict extended into a long and often hostile relationship between their descendants. 

Esau’s descendants became the nation of Edom, located south and southeast of Israel. While Israel was still in Egypt, Edom had already developed into a kingdom. When Israel later approached the Promised Land, Edom refused them passage, despite their kinship: 

“You shall not pass through, lest I come out against you with the sword” (Numbers 20:18). 

Yet God still commanded Israel, 

“You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother” (Deuteronomy 23:7). 

Despite this, Edom frequently opposed Israel, sometimes allying with powerful empires like Assyria and Babylon in their campaigns. Ironically, Edom was eventually conquered by Babylon as well. Edom is also mentioned in prophetic passages such as Daniel 11:41 and Isaiah 63:1–6, suggesting its presence in future events, though likely not as a distinct nation. 

Where are the modern-day descendants of Esau/Edom? Many seem likely to have remained in their ancestral homeland, and thus, many modern Palestinians and Jordanians are probably Edomites. Obadiah 19 speaks of territories and of Israelites controlling the area of the Promised Land, expanding into more land. However, there is also indication that the Babylonians took many Edomites into captivity, as they did the Jews. Perhaps the Iraqi city of Basra was actually named for the ancient Edomite town of Bozrah. The Plateaus of Persia and Turkestan have been called “Land of the Temani” (possibly named for Esau’s eldest grandson, Teman). 

We can see that the animosity present in the region today has roots back to family rivalries. The depth of the conflict helps explain how difficult it is to propose peace or implement policies designed to reconcile differences among the different tribes and people occupying the land.  

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.